Mapping Essentials of UIUX

So, I have been tooling around on the internet for years now.  For the last three I have really been working on seeing what is happing with maps all over the web.  I have to say that there are great use cases for small maps and large maps alike.  They each have their place and time in the light.  I actually have one application that uses a very large percentage of the screen for the map, and another for a use case that calls for a 4X4 size put down so the user gets a “quick glimpse”. 

The next thing I noticed is that there are also sets of tools for each job.  Some tools are complicated while some are as standard as alloy wheels today.  But one thing I think people are starting to miss on maps is the ability for the map to “be alive”.  Static maps might have their place as a picture for a log or something, but for a UX setting, well they suck.  So I go to any given site and they give me a map that shows me the location I have been longing for all my life.  “That is fantastic!  I wanted to know where that place was yes!  Good, let me zoom in a little just to… oh wait.  What is going on, the mouse wheel doesn’t zoom?  Ok, well lets look for some buttons right… because I need to see… where the hell are the buttons?  “  Does that sound familiar to you?  That has happened to me on a couple of different sites now and I am starting to get really annoyed.  Just because you can show your location to people doesn’t mean they “know” where the place is.  They should be able to zoom and pan around in the map.

So how does this affect the user?  Well, the user will do one of two things depending on motive:

1. Leave your site and say they don’t care about your store. (If the user is just hoping that you are close and isn’t sold on you, you just lost the sale)
2. Open up a “Trusted” mapping solution and see if they can locate your store. (If the store is new or not mappable, you probably lost that business too)

Think your map doesn’t need the basics?  Think of why you put the map on your site in the first place.  Most of you would say something like “I want my customer to have an easier time finding our store.”  Fantastic and quite ironic, because the customer is coming to your site to find out how they can buy your product or visit your store.  Now, they can’t pan around the map or zoom in for a better look so they can see just how they can get there.  You are defeating your own purpose if you are doing this.

In short, make sure that you have all the tools your users are going to want, especially when the tools are the basics.